Prior Approvals, Waiver Requests and Other Dealings: How to Best Interact with the Office of Head Start

September 16, 2026

This webinar is included in the Head Start Training Package.

Things don’t always go as initially planned. After the grant application has been approved, grant recipients often need to make modifications to manage the ever-changing circumstances. Whether you need to adjust the budget, tweak your program design, or have new leadership, you may need to seek prior approval from the Office of Head Start to permissibly make certain changes. Similarly, Head Start programs must think ahead for requests for waivers and slot conversions or reductions.    

During this webinar Feldesman attorneys will discuss when the prior approval requirements under the Uniform Guidance and the Head Start Program Performance Standards apply. We will also talk about strategies to communicate best with the Office of Head Start to obtain favorable and timely results.

The on-demand version of this webinar will be available for purchase one week after the conclusion of the live webinar. 

Target Audience

  • Executive Directors  
  • Head Start Directors  
  • Management Team  
  • New Leadership/Management Staff  
  • Fiscal and grants staff 

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Know what grantees can do to limit the need for prior approval requests  
  • Understand what controls an organization needs to utilize to ensure prior written approvals are obtained in advance of cost/actions requiring prior approval  
  • Describe when a federal agency is allowed to require its recipients to request prior approvals under the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Uniform Guidance  
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 Certificate of Attendance
  • 1.50 CPE
Course opens: 
10/27/2025
Course expires: 
10/01/2028
Event starts: 
09/16/2026 - 1:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
09/16/2026 - 2:15pm EDT
Cost:
$185.00
Add to calendar: 

Ted Waters

Serving as Managing Partner of the firm and a member of the Federal Grants and Health Care practice groups, Ted is a national authority in the area of federal grants, particularly in the community service spheres. He advises Head Start clients on all aspects of program requirements, including governance, cost share and the never-ending list of grant administration matters. Ted's experience in administrative issues is widely recognized, and he routinely handles government audits, internal investigations and litigation. [Full Bio]

Participants can earn up to 1.50 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge and Applications upon completion of all course requirements.

ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS FOR CPE CREDIT

If you purchase CPE credit for this webinar you must satisfy the following conditions in order to receive your certificate:

  1. Answer at least 5 of the polling questions during the webinar
  2. Complete the evaluation survey after the conclusion of the webinar or in the follow-up email

Upon completion of these requirements, we will email you your CPE Certificate within two (2) weeks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Prerequisites: None 
  • Target Audience: Executive Directors, Head Start Directors, Management Team, New Leadership/Management Staff and Fiscal and grants staff. 
  • Advanced Preparation: None  
  • Program Level: All
  • Delivery Method: Group Internet Based

Feldesman LLP is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website www.nasbaregistry.org (formerly www.learningmarket.org).

Available Credit

  • 1.25 Certificate of Attendance
  • 1.50 CPE

Price

Cost:
$185.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Access to the recorded version of this webinar is included in your purchase.

You will have access to the recordings for 180 days after enrollment. Once posted to your account, you can view each webinar anytime on-demand during the access period identified in your purchase confirmation. For additional information on viewing and accessing webinars, view our full terms and conditions here.

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